Unconventional Weight Loss Tips That Make a Major Difference

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss, the classic advice never changes: To lose fat and gain muscle, you need to eat less and move your body more. Eating the right foods and finding a workout plan that you can stick to will give you great results.

But amidst all the advice, you’ll find some rather unorthodox suggestions. And believe it or not, plenty of those unconventional weight loss tips actually work.

Unconventional does not mean unhealthy

There are many unique weight loss methods you might have never thought of. | Yulia Davidovich/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Unconventional weight loss tips are simply things you may not have otherwise considered, such as eating off a dark blue plate. If any suggestion involves starving yourself, over-exercising, or things that could cause a heart attack, it’s definitely not something you should be doing. Healthy weight loss methods are not only better for your body and mind, but they’ll deliver real results.

1. Talk yourself slim

This may seem like advice from a New Age guru, but studies have shown that what you say to yourself really matters. And we’re not just talking about positive mantras, although those certainly don’t hurt.

Hypnotherapist John Richardson believes that what you say to yourself can help you sabotage bad behaviors. For example, if you’re about to eat chips or cookies out of boredom, say out loud to yourself, “I’m really full, but I’m going to eat this anyway.” You may end up talking yourself out of the unhealthy snacking after all. Try it!

2. Switch to a standing desk at work

You can actually burn more calories by standing at your desk. | Monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Getty Images

If you work in an office, you may already know that standing desks have become common for health reasons. But other than being great for your posture, standing up instead of sitting can help you burn up to 50 additional calories per hour. If you stand for four hours a day every day, that really adds up.

4. Create a ‘diet’ playlist

Play some tunes in the kitchen. | Goodluz/iStock/Getty Images

If you have Spotify or Pandora, you probably have a workout playlist. Try creating a diet playlist as well. Studies have shown that pleasant background music can actually enhance our perception of flavors, and when you take the time to fully taste and savor your food, you’ll eat less of it. If nothing else, this will definitely make your dinner feel more pleasant.

5. Eat three fewer bites of your meal

Eating dinner can be a mindful experience. | MSPhotographic/iStock/Getty Images

Stopping a mere three bites before you think you’re done with each meal can save you 100 calories a day, which can prevent you from gaining two pounds in a year. Since most of us eat until we’re full, this is a great way to slow down and check in with your body. If you’re truly still hungry a few minutes after you’ve stopped, go ahead and eat those last bites.

Follow your own rules, as long as they’re healthy

Try out these tips without getting stressed at dinner. | Milkos/iStock/Getty Images

As long as you’re not harming your body, listening to its cues is the perfect way to lose any excess weight. Try these tips and any others you encounter and see what works for you. When you’re creating a long-term health and weight loss plan, finding something you’ll stick to is important.